Shapeoko vs Glowforge

[@KennethEUrban]

John, I always appreciate your videos. You provide cogent, well-thought-out analysis and I especially appreciate your sense of humor. Thanks!

[@rjones04061987]

Have to say. Love your Shapeoko videos but myself personally I prefer the Dremel LC40 vs the Glowforge... Had NOTHER but a bad experience with Glowforge, 2 machines shipped to me in Canada and NEITHER of them worked (wouldn't connect to a dedicated router or ANY router in my house either by wired connection or wireless and the gantry arm controlling the laser didn't work after setting it up right out of the box.) LOVE my Dremel and have had no issues with it and JUST bought a Shapeoko 4 XXL and is currently awaiting set up in my shop at the moment. VERY much looking forward to blending the 2 machines together. Thanks for your help with the Shapeoko videos as I am sure they will continue to be in my daily watch list for some of the creations I'll be making for my little business at home! The possibilities are ENDLESS! Take care and happy making!

[@johnearlclark]

I have not played with the Dremel LC40, but I would like to. I have a Glowforge basic, so the $3k vs $6k price difference was a bit much for me. My basic has been very productive thus far. Maybe when it's time to replace it, I will look at the Dremel.

[@jimhatch5873]

Nice balanced report. I agree with virtually everything you noted. I'm waiting for a Pro XXL to come back in stock so it can join my GF Pro.

[@w1ngb4t]

A pleasant discussion and a compelling pairing.

[@jademonkey1000]

Awesome John. I added a laser this Jan. to my Shapoko XXL. But I went the Chinese route with a 2ft x 3.5ft bed. Keep those videos coming.......

[@stvcolwill]

Hows that working out? (asking for a friend). : )

[@jademonkey1000]

@@stvcolwill I would do it again in a heartbeat. Of course, the usual learning curve is there, and many youtube videos on how to improve your machine is a given (and recommended). I bought the HL1060 100W

[@stvcolwill]

@@jademonkey1000 thanks for sharing , as a brand new shapeoko pro xxl user, I do plan on adding laser perhaps in the fall when I get the time.

[@johnearlclark]

On thing you might want to look at is the JTech lasers for Shapeoko. jtechphotonics.com/?product_cat=all-in-one-laser-bundles If you are looking to do your cutting with the shapeoko and just use the laser for etching designs, the JTech stuff is really cost effective.

[@FormerlyKnownAsAndrew]

I've been thinking of seeing another machine as well!

[@pl2996]

thanks for the explanation.

[@timothychk]

👍☕🍩thanks for sharing .. Tim

[@AndrewAHayes]

I have a Shapeoko and a Glowforge and a ginger cat and if your ginger cat is called Giuseppe there is something spooky going on!

[@johnearlclark]

He is Rory, Thank goodness.

[@dusbus2384]

Why not just add the Jtech laser to the shapeoko and have it all in one footprint and one workpiece set up?

[@johnearlclark]

It really depends on what you are trying to do. My read on the jTech is that current max power is 7Watts or so. You can do engraving and maybe cut 1/8 inch stuff (as long as it's not too dense -- balsa, basswood). The Glowforge is 40-45 watts of angry rage demon and it will happily slice through 1/4 material (Hardwoods and Acrylic) as well as engraving. It's also going to do it a lot faster. Part of me would love to play with a 30 by 30 laser print area, but an engrave of that size is going to take a very very long time. That said, if you are really just looking for engraving, the JTech is a nice setup and price.

[@jamessinger8078]

Two DIFFERENT machines that perform TWO completely DIFFERENT tasks/functions.

[@johnearlclark]

Perhaps. In my view, they are both engines of creation. The real question, is what do you want to create.

[@foxtrot1787]

like comparing apples with oranges.